Mack had retired from rapping to devote himself to religion, Toney said.

“Nobody got to understand his story,” Toney said. “I wanted the world to know the talent he had. It was something I wanted people to enjoy, but it was cut short because he was very religious and wanted to go to church.”

“He was prepared for whatever comes, to go home to the Lord. He was prepared to do that. He wasn’t scared. He was ready.”

Mack was from Long Island in New York and signed with P. Diddy’s Bad Boy record label.

His track “Flava In Ya Ear” was released in 1994 and reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, ultimately being certified platinum for selling over a million copies. The remix of the song featured performances by The Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Rampage, and Busta Rhymes.

Rapper Biz Markie also paid tribute, saying, “He had two perfect singles and the platonic rap remix. That’s more than most.”

Close friend DJ Scratch posted on Instagram, “I just got a disturbing phone call. I cannot believe this dude is gone. He just reached out a couple of weeks ago for me to speak on his documentary about his life. Because Craig was my roadie on tour. He would set up & break down my turntables every night on tour. Rest In Peace Lil Bro.”